CEBU, Philippines — It was an unusual start to December at Cebu City Hall yesterday, where what was meant to be a normal Monday, with officials and employees attending the regular flag-raising ceremony, turned into a spectacle, with “two mayors” standing side by side.
This was the situation yesterday after dismissed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama attended the City Hall flag-raising ceremony at the Plaza Sugbo Grounds and stood beside Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia behind the “mayor” sign.
Rama reported to Cebu City Hall yesterday, saying that he was ready to assume office as mayor, insisting that the Ombudsman’s order on his dismissal and perpetual disqualification—after he was found guilty of nepotism—hasn’t been implemented. Therefore, his mayorship still stands, he said.
Rama's appointee, former city administrator Collin Rosell, also made his presence known by standing in front of the “City Administrator” nameplate alongside the sitting City Administrator Kristine Joy Batucan.
During the flag-raising, Rama and Garcia were seen in casual conversation, despite their past declarations that their alliance and relationship had become strained. When Garcia took the podium to give his regular mayor’s message to the employees, he acknowledged Rama’s presence, addressing him as “former Cebu City Mayor.”
This prompted Rama to leave the front row.
Rama: “I’m Back”
Right after the flag-raising ceremony, Rama, together with his supporters and his son, Atty. Mikel Rama, held a press conference in front of Magellan’s Cross in the Plaza Sugbo Grounds. This occurred simultaneously with the groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s Public Wi-Fi, led by Garcia, on the other side.
During his press conference, Rama stood firm on his comeback as the city mayor, alongside Rosell, whose appointment during Rama's administration was coterminous.
“I’m back,” Rama stated before the media.
Mikel, the designated spokesperson for Rama, said that as early as November 11, the offices of the city council, the Ombudsman, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the offices of the executive department were “informed” that his father's six-month preventive suspension had already lapsed.
Mikel added that on the same date, November 11, his father also assumed the position of city mayor “by operation of law,” meaning his presence at City Hall indicated he was already reporting for duty.
As for Rama, he said that as early as 5 a.m., he had already made rounds around the offices of Cebu City Hall.
“Abot ko sa taas, lipay kaayo ko kay tua pa akong nawong didto sa mga mayor, sud ko, saka ko sa babaw, therefore, nakasud nako,” he said.
“Nganong i-hold man ko sa mga gwardiya nga mayor man ko? I am the elected mayor,” he added.
Rama further explained that when he was able to get inside City Hall, it reinforced his stance that he is the elected mayor. Rama stressed that he is mandated to return, otherwise, he would be slapped with abandonment of post.
Mayor’s office locked
Right after his press conference, Rama and his camp marched from the Plaza Sugbo Grounds to the mayor’s office, only to find that it was locked.
“Paklaroha lang gyud sila kung kinsa ang official nga nagsugo sa pag-lock ana,” Mikel said.
But Rama disregarded the issue as he stressed on the more pressing detail that he had already assumed the post and was ready to sign documents to exercise his authority.
“Balikon nako, I am not a former mayor, I am the elected mayor. Buhi pa man ko, so walay vacancy,” he added.
Rama was about to leave the building when he discovered that two of their vehicles parked in the mayor’s parking space had been clamped, prompting an outcry among his supporters.
The clamping occurred even after his camp stressed that the designated driver was just inside the vehicle.
Personnel from the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) removed the clamps a few minutes later.
Further, while there was no conflict between Rama’s camp and City Hall workers, the police—particularly members of the Crowd Disturbance Management (CDM)—were seen around City Hall dressed in gear usually worn during crowd disbursement.
Garcia: City hall is a public space
Despite what happened, Garcia told the media that City Hall is a public space and that everyone, including his former ally Rama, can visit, as long as the flow of services is not impeded.
“Once they disrupt our operations, then we will take action,” Garcia said in a separate press conference.
He added that he did not want the same tension that arose when Rosell, backed by Rama’s supporters, attempted to get inside City Hall, which eventually ended in his arrest.
Garcia also clarified that he did not order the clamping of Rama’s vehicle but explained that what happened may have been standard protocol and procedure of the CCTO.
According to Garcia, despite the indication that the parking slot in question is a “Mayor’s parking area,” he is not using it since he is still using the parking space at his former office.
“Naa may nakabutang didto nga that parking is only for the mayor, it doesn’t say former mayor, it says mayor,” said Garcia.
Garcia, however, said that Rama’s presence did not hamper any City Hall operations, adding that it was “business as usual” in City Hall.
As for the padlocked mayor’s office, Garcia said it had been locked for “security purposes,” but added that they would open it later in the day.
“Well, naa man guy threat, maoy assessment sa atong kapulisan ug sa atong CSU (Civil Security Unit),” said Garcia.
He added that, although Rama is not considered a security threat, the presence of other members of his camp, who have a “history,” may have prompted the imposition of security details. Despite multiple declarations from Rama that he is still the mayor, Garcia said he does not have plans to file complaints against Rama. –– ATO (CEBU NEWS)